23andMe Announces Breast Cancer Initiative

October 2, 2008

Personal Genetics Leader to Focus on Building DNA-based Community For Women Impacted by Breast CancerCARLSBAD, CA. – October 2, 2008 – 23andMe, Inc., the industry leader in personal genetics, today announced that it is embarking on a world-wide effort to assemble the largest cohort of women whose lives have been impacted by breast cancer and to build an infrastructure, based on genetics, that will accelerate consumer-based research of the disease.
In honor of the 23rd anniversary of October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, co-founders Linda Avey and Anne Wojcicki told science and business leaders at Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Conference that the company will seek to reach out to, and build a community around, women who have encountered breast cancer, thereby increasing the scientific understanding of the inherited aspects of a disease that affects 200,000 newly diagnosed individuals per year.
In recent years, the scientific community has effectively utilized genetic testing to direct and dramatically improve breast cancer treatment. “Great strides have been made in targeting treatment for breast cancer,” said Linda Avey. “We’d like to build on this progress, and we believe that by creating a web-based forum that enables women to share their experiences, the entire community could benefit, and more personalized treatments may ultimately be an outcome.”
Women who sign up for 23andMe’s genetic testing service can opt-in to take surveys that help drive genome-wide association studies. Genetic profiles combined with medical and family history contribute greatly to research efforts, and help researchers understand causes around disease and treatment. The company will be creating a specific breast cancer network within 23andWe, the research division of 23andMe. There, women whose lives have been touched by breast cancer can come together, build a community, share knowledge and offer advice.
“Women who have been recently diagnosed with breast cancer can learn a tremendous amount from women who have already been treated,” said Anne Wojcicki. “By combining the ability to participate in research with the ability to learn from each other, 23andMe hopes to make a significant contribution to this community.”
The 23andMe™ service enables its customers to:

Learn how the latest research studies relate to their genomes;

Actively participate in a new research approach and contribute to the advancement of the field of genetics.

Compare their profiles to family and friends who are also 23andMe participants and trace the inheritance of genes associated with specific traits.

Join discussion groups around any areas of interest, both health and ancestry-related.

About 23andMe

23andMe, Inc. is the leading consumer genetics and research company. Founded in 2006, the mission of the company is to help people access, understand and benefit from the human genome. The company was named by TIME as a “Genius Company” in 2018, and featured as Fast Company's #2 Most Innovative Health Company in 2018. 23andMe has millions of customers worldwide, with more than 80 percent of customers consented to participate in research. 23andMe, Inc. is located in Mountain View, CA. More information is available at www.23andMe.com.

23andMe Visuals

Find Us On

Note that past press releases may reflect versions of the product that may not be available currently in every market where we sell. If you are a member of the media and have questions contact us at [email protected] For healthcare professionals, please contact [email protected] To learn more about our current product please visit our website.